Apparatus for supporting articles

ABSTRACT

An apparatus for supporting articles, the apparatus extending from a vertically-directed surface. A first supporting member and a second supporting member are mounted at first and second predetermined locations along the vertically-directed surface. A first elongated rod and a second elongated rod are secured respectively to the first and second supporting members and extend substantially horizontally outwardly. An elongated cross member rod is pivotally secured to the free end of the first elongated rod. A tab portion extends from the other end of the cross member rod and lockingly engages the cross member rod to the free end of the second elongated rod upon pivoting of the cross member rod in the direction of the second elongated rod. Articles supporting upon the first and second elongated rods are thereby protected from unauthorized removal from the apparatus.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates generally to apparatuses for supporting articles and, more particularly, to an apparatus for supporting articles which extends outwardly from a vertically-directed surface.

[0003] 2. Description of the Prior Art

[0004] Display stands of various shape and structure are known in the prior art. A primary function of display stands is to enable a store owner to display certain kinds of merchandise, yet prevent unauthorized removal of the displayed articles.

[0005] U.S. Pat. No. 4,462,497, issued to Maule, teaches a display stand with first and second elongated rods extending from a vertically-extending support base. An elongated plate is attached to the support base and the rods are in turn attached to the elongated plate. A cross member attaches to the ends of the first and second elongated rods to prevent articles which are suspended from the rods from being removed without authorization.

[0006] U.S. Pat. No. 4,254,879 teaches a phonograph record holder with structure similar to U.S. Pat. No. 4,462,497, except that the elongated rods threadably attach within a vertically-extending channel in the upright support.

[0007] The shortcomings of the support apparatuses described above include that they do not utilize a reinforced structure for enabling heavier loads to be carried by the elongated rods without causing failure of the support rods and damage to the support apparatus.

SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

[0008] The present invention is an apparatus for supporting articles. The apparatus extends from a vertically-directed surface and includes a first supporting member and a second supporting member. The first supporting member is mounted at a first predetermined location to the vertically-directed surface and the second supporting member is mounted at a second predetermined location to the vertically-directed surface. A first elongated rod is received within an aperture formed in the first supporting member and a second elongated rod is likewise received within an aperture formed in the second supporting member. The first and second elongated rods are mounted to the support members so as to be at a given vertical distance relative to one another. An elongated cross member rod is pivotally secured to a free end of the first elongated rod. The cross member is pivoted in a direction towards the second elongated rod and is lockingly engaged with the second elongated rod. Articles therefore supported on the first and second elongated rods are protected from unauthorized removal.

[0009] In a first embodiment, the support members of the apparatus are mounted to a wall. In a second embodiment, the apparatus includes an elongated support which extends vertically from a ground surface and to which the first and second support members are mounted.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] Reference is made to the attached drawings, when read in conjunction with the following specification, wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views and in which:

[0011]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first preferred embodiment of the support apparatus of the present invention;

[0012]FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a portion of one of the support members and one of the elongated rods shown in FIG. 1;

[0013]FIG. 3 is an elevational side of the apparatus view of FIG. 1 with portions shown in cross section; and

[0014]FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a second preferred embodiment of the support apparatus of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0015] Referring to FIGS. 1-3, a first preferred embodiment of an apparatus 10 for supporting articles is shown. A vertically-directed surface 12 is provided for the mounting of the apparatus 10. The vertically-directed surface is normally a wall or other vertical support which is provided with appropriate bracing for supporting the apparatus 10 of the present invention. Normally, two inch by four inch support beams are provided within the vertically-directed surface for appropriate support.

[0016] Referring again to FIG. 1, a first supporting member 14 and a second supporting member 16 are provided. The first supporting member 14 and second supporting member 16 are each constructed from a metal or other durable material and are each capable of supporting heavy loads, as will be subsequently described. The first supporting member is mounted at a first predetermined location 18 on the vertically-directed surface. Likewise, the second supporting member is mounted at a second predetermined location 20 on the vertically-directed surface.

[0017] Referring again to FIGS. 2 and 3, in addition to FIG. 1, the supporting members 14 and 16 each have a body portion with recessed portions 22 and 24, respectively. A recessed tap 26 is formed within the recessed portion 22 and a recessed tap 28 is formed within the recessed portion 24. A threaded hole 30 is formed through the recessed tap 26 and a threaded hole 32 is formed through the recessed tap 28. A threaded mounting bolt 34 extends through the threaded hole 30 and mounts the first supporting member 14 to the wall at the predetermined location 18. Likewise, a threaded mounting bolt 36 extends through the threaded hole 32 and mounts the second supporting member 16 to the wall at the predetermined location 20. An outwardly-flared flange portion 38 extends around the periphery of the first supporting member 14 and against the wall 12. Likewise, an outwardly-flared flange portion 40 extends around the periphery of the second supporting member 16.

[0018] Referring again to FIGS. 1-3, a first elongated rod 42 and a second elongated rod 44 are mounted respectively to the first the second supporting members 14 and 16. The first and second elongated rods 42 and 44 are preferably constructed of steel or another high strength material and are each in the shape of a hollow tube. The first elongated rod is preferably a three quarter inch steel pipe and the second elongated rod is a two and one quarter inch steel pipe. The first elongated rod 42 has an attachment end 46 with a number of externally-directed threads 48 placed thereon. Likewise, the second elongated rod 44 has an attachment end 50 with a number of externally-directed threads 52 placed thereon. The threads 48 of the first elongated rod 42 rotatingly mate with internal threads 54 placed on the walls of the recessed portion 22 to mount the first rod 42 so that it extends substantially horizontally outwardly from the first supporting member 14. Likewise, the threads 52 of the second elongated rod 44 rotatingly mate with internal threads 56 placed on the walls of the recessed portion 24 to mount the second rod 44 so that it extends substantially horizontally outwardly from the second supporting member 16.

[0019] Referring again to FIG. 1, an elongated cross member rod 60 extends between the first elongated rod 42 and the second elongated rod 44. The cross member 60 is pivotally mounted, at 62, to the other end 64 of the first elongated rod 42. The cross member 60 is mounted to the first rod 42 such that it is capable of being pivoted in the direction shown by arrow 66. A tab portion 68 extends from a free end 70 of cross member 60. A longitudinally extending slot 72 is formed at that other end 74 of the second elongated rod 44 and receives the tab portion 68 of the cross member 60 upon pivoting of the cross member in the direction of the arrow 66.

[0020] Once the tab 68 is received in the slot 72, a lock cylinder 76 is located at the other end 74 of the second elongated rod is engaged so as to lock the cross member to the second elongated rod. The lock cylinder is preferably a key-operated lock and includes a key for engaging and disengaging the cross member.

[0021] Referring further to FIG. 4, a second preferred embodiment of the support apparatus 10 of the present invention is thereshown. The support apparatus according to the second preferred embodiment is identical to that shown in the embodiment according to FIGS. 1-3, except the apparatus further includes an elongated support 80 with a base 82. The base 82 sets upon a ground surface 84 so that the elongated support extends in a generally vertical direction. A plurality of bolts 86 may be provided which extend through the base 82 and fixedly attach the base and elongated support to the ground surface. The elongated support 80 serves the same purpose as the vertically-extending surface 12 shown in FIG. 1 and is dimensioned so as to accommodate the first and second supporting member 14 and 16. Articles such as firearms and power tools can be supported from the elongated rods without the fear of unauthorized removal.

[0022] The first and second supporting members in either embodiment are constructed so that they can withstand considerable loading forces imparted in the elongated rods by the articles suspended therefrom. The extending flange portions further provide additional support to the support members and allow even greater loads to be carried by the elongated rods.

[0023] Having described my invention, additional embodiment will become apparent to those skilled in the art to which it pertains. Specifically, a number of locking support assemblies as described herein can be used in a given application. For example, one or two pairs of locking assemblies can extend in opposite directions from a common elongated support as taught by the embodiment of FIG. 4. Also, a number of locking assemblies can be mounted to a vertically-directed surface as provided by the embodiment taught in FIGS. 1-3. 

I claim:
 1. An apparatus for supporting articles, said apparatus extending from a vertically-directed surface and comprising: a first supporting member and a second supporting member; means for mounting said first supporting member at a first predetermined vertical position along the vertically-directed surface and means for mounting said second supporting member at a second predetermined vertical position along the vertically-directed surface; a first elongated rod, said first rod having one end secured to said first supporting member so that said first rod extends substantially horizontally outwardly from said first supporting member; a second elongated rod, said second rod having one end secured to said second supporting member so that said second rod extends substantially horizontally outwardly from said second supporting member; an elongated cross member rod pivotally secured at the other end of said first elongated rod; and means for lockingly securing the other end of said cross member to the other end of said second elongated rod; whereby articles supported upon said first and second elongated rods are protected from unauthorized removal from said apparatus.
 2. The apparatus as described in claim 1, wherein said means for mounting said first supporting member and said means for mounting second supporting member to the vertically-directed surface each comprise a threaded mounting bolt extending from said first and second supporting members which engages the vertically-directed surface.
 3. The apparatus as described in claim 2, further comprising said first supporting member and said second supporting member each having a recessed portion formed therein for receiving said ends of said first and second elongated rods, said recessed portions and said ends each having opposingly engaging threads placed thereon.
 4. The apparatus as described in claim 3, further comprising a hole drilled through said recessed portions of said first and second supporting members, each of said holes receiving said mounting bolts.
 5. The apparatus as described in claim 1, wherein said means for lockingly securing the other end of said cross member to the other end of said second elongated rod comprises a longitudinally extending slot recessed within said other end of said second elongated rod, said slot receives a tab portion extending from said other end of said cross member upon pivoting of said cross member in the direction of said second elongated rod.
 6. The apparatus as described in claim 5, wherein said means for lockingly securing further comprises a lock cylinder attached to the other end of said second elongated rod.
 7. The apparatus as described in claim 6, wherein said cylinder includes a key operated lock.
 8. The apparatus as described in claim 1, wherein said first supporting member and said second member each further comprises a flange portion which is outwardly flared against the vertically-directed surface.
 9. The apparatus as described in claim 3, wherein said first elongated rod comprises a three quarter of an inch steel pipe which is threadably engaged within said first supporting member.
 10. The apparatus as described in claim 3, wherein said second elongated rod comprises a two and one quarter inch steel pipe which is threadably engaged within said second supporting member.
 11. An apparatus for supporting articles comprising: an elongated support which extends generally vertically from a ground surface and which is supported upon the ground surface. at least one locking assembly secured to said elongated support, each locking assembly comprising: a first supporting member and a second supporting member; means for mounting said first supporting member at a first predetermined vertical position along said elongated support and means for mounting said second supporting member at a second predetermined vertical position along said elongated support; a first elongated rod, said first rod having one end secured to said first supporting member so that said first rod extends substantially horizontally outwardly from said first supporting member; a second elongated rod, said second rod having one end secured to said second supporting member so that said second rod extends substantially horizontally outwardly from said second supporting member; an elongated cross member rod pivotally secured to the other end of said first elongated rod; and means for lockingly securing the other end of said cross member to the other end of said second elongated rod; whereby articles supported upon said first and second elongated rods are protected from unauthorized removal from said apparatus. 